Canister filter system with drain that cooperates with filter element

ABSTRACT

A filter assembly with a replaceable filter element and a reusable filter housing, which incorporates a locking mechanism to ensure that the filter system will not be operated without a filter element installed.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The field of this disclosure is filter systems. More specifically, thefield is canister filter systems for liquids, such as lube oil or liquidfuels, which have drains for draining liquid out of the canister.

BACKGROUND

Canister filter systems are used extensively today on equipment such asinternal combustion engines, construction and mining machinery, and manyother types of industrial machinery. They are used to filtercontaminants from fluids in fuel systems, lubrication oil systems,hydraulic fluid power systems, hydraulic fluid control systems,transmission fluid systems, engine air intake systems, and the like.

A canister filter system typically includes a base which is oftenattached to the equipment, a canister (also sometimes called a housing,cup, can, or cover), and a filter element which is removably positionedinside the canister. After the filter element is positioned inside thecanister, the canister is attached to the base with threads or otherattachment means to form a sealed compartment around the filter element.The canister, base, and filter element cooperate to define fluidpathways through which fluid is directed through the filter element. Thefilter element contains filter media which traps and collectscontaminants as the fluid passes through it. The trapped contaminantsmay include dirt, water, soot, ash, metallic particles, and otherharmful debris.

Eventually these contaminants clog the filter media and reduce itseffectiveness. Or other conditions can develop over time which alsoreduce the effectiveness of the filter media in removing contaminants.When this occurs, the filter element should be replaced (or possiblycleaned, but this is impractical for most applications). But only thefilter element needs to be replaced, while the canister, base, and othercomponents are reused. The filter element is designed to be convenientlyreplaced and readily disposed. The filter element can be replaced ondemand, i.e. when the filter becomes clogged and requires replacement,or periodically, according to the guidance of a periodic maintenanceschedule established for the particular application.

Canister filter systems can have many advantages over other filtersystems such as spin-on filters. For instance, canister filter systemscan be relatively inexpensively provided with a drain. To avoid spills,a technician may wish to remove the fluid from the canister in acontrolled and contained manner before detaching the canister to replacethe filter element. The drain facilitates the removal of fluid that isinside the canister. In some circumstances the fluid can spill if it isnot first removed from the canister before detaching the canister fromthe base. The drain is typically integrated into the canister. Becausein a canister filter system the drain generally increases just the costof the canister, which is reused and purchased only once, and generallydoes not increase the cost of the filter element, which is frequentlyreplaced and purchased many times, the additional cost of including adrain does not significantly increase the total operating cost to theequipment owner.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,814,243, granted Nov. 9, 2004, (“the '243 patent”) is anexample of prior art canister filter systems incorporating a drain inthe canister. FIG. 1 of the '243 patent illustrates a canister 14 withan integrated drain (the drain is not labeled with a referencecharacter, but is shown incorporated into the bottom of canister 14 inFIG. 1, and is shown in a closed position).

The '243 patent is also an example of another, increasingly importantfeature of canister filter systems. The arrangement of the filter systemdescribed in the '243 patent makes it impossible to install the canisterto the base, without first having a filter element properly installed inthe canister. This prevents, for example, accidentally or intentionallyrunning the machinery without the filter element in place. As componentssuch as fuel pumps, fuel injectors, hydraulic pumps, valves, bearings,engines, etc., become more expensive, more high tech, and are made withtighter tolerances and specifications, it is increasingly important toprotect these components against contamination. Contamination may causepremature wear and even failure, and the problem is compounded when thecomponent has tight tolerances between parts or is very expensive. Thus,it may be very advantageous in some applications to ensure that atechnician does not accidentally or intentionally try to run machinerywithout an appropriate filter element in place.

However, while the filter system of the '243 patent performs well insome applications, it may suffer from several disadvantages, or isotherwise not well suited for other applications. For instance, thefilter system of the '243 patent may not be well suited for applicationswhere the fluid in the canister is at a high pressure. Because theconnection of the canister to the base is through the filter element,the force of high pressure in the canister is reacted through the filterelement, which may not be strong enough for the pressures of someapplications. Additionally, O-ring between the canister and base is notintended to hold high pressure inside of the canister.

The presence of threads in the filter element's center tube can be adisadvantage in some circumstances. The threads in the center tube,which are used to connect the filter element and canister to the base,are located in the clean fluid pathway out of the system. Threads in theclean fluid pathway may contribute to contamination.

In addition, the canister of the system described in the '243 patent canbe relatively complicated and expensive to manufacture for someapplications. The connection structure incorporated into the bottom ofthe canister may add too much cost for some applications.

Because of these drawbacks, another canister filter design is neededwhich still prevents accidentally or intentionally using the filtersystem without a filter element installed, but is also relieved of someor all of the disadvantages exhibited by the '243 patent.

SUMMARY

A canister filter system includes a base, a canister attachable to thebase, and a filter element having filter media positioned inside thecanister. A drain forms a seal with, and may releasably engage thefilter element when the drain is in a closed position. In an openposition, the drain allows fluid to be removed from the canister.Because the drain forms a seal with, and may releasably engage thefilter element in the closed position, the drain cannot be closed unlessa filter element is properly positioned inside the canister. Thisprevents accidental or intentional use of the filter system without afilter element in place.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cut away view of a canister filter system, including a base,a canister, and filter element.

FIG. 2 is a detailed view from FIG. 1 with the drain 40 in a closedposition.

FIG. 3 is a detailed view from FIG. 1 with the drain 40 in an openposition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following is a detailed description of exemplary embodiments of theinvention. The exemplary embodiments described herein and illustrated inthe drawing figures are intended to teach the principles of theinvention, enabling those of ordinary skill in this art to make and usethe invention in many different environments and for many differentapplications. The exemplary embodiments should not be considered as alimiting description of the scope of patent protection. The scope ofpatent protection shall be defined by the appended claims, and isintended to be broader than the specific embodiments described herein.

FIG. 1 illustrates a canister filter system 1 having a base 10, acanister 20, and a filter element 30. The general construction and useof a canister filter system is understood by those of ordinary skill inthis art. Thus, all the details of the construction and use of canisterfilter system 1 need not be explained here. The canister filter system 1may be used to filter fluids such as diesel or gasoline or other liquidfuels, lubrication oil, hydraulic fluid for hydraulic power systems,transmission fluid, or even possibly intake air for an engine. Thecanister filter system 1 may also be used as a fuel/water separatorfilter. The canister filter system 1 with the features described hereincould be adapted by those of ordinary skill in this art to serve manydifferent purposes and suit many other applications.

The base 10 includes an inlet channel 11 for fluid inlet into thecanister filter system 1, and an outlet channel 12 for fluid outlet fromthe canister filter system 1. The base also includes base threads 13.

The canister 20 includes an open end 21 and a closed end 22. Adjacentthe open end 21 are canister threads 23 which can be engaged with basethreads 13 to hold the canister 20 to base 10. Threads are one exampleof engagement structures which may be included on the base 10 andcanister 20 to form a releasable engagement. Other engagement structuresmay be used as will be recognized by those of ordinary skill in thisart.

The filter element 30 may take many different forms to suit a particularapplication. In the illustrated embodiment, the filter element 30 iswell suited for filtering fuel or lubrication oil. The filter element 30may include annularly arranged filter media 31 circumferentiallysurrounding a central reservoir defined by center tube 32. Axial ends offilter media 31 are sealed by end plates. Open end plate 33 defines anaxial open end of filter element 30. The open end plate 33 is termed“open” because it includes an opening 35 for allowing passage of fluidto outlet channel 12 from the central reservoir defined by center tube32. Closed end plate 34 defines an axial closed end of filter element30. The closed end plate 34 is termed “closed” because it prevents anyfluid outside the filter element 30 adjacent axial end of filter media31 from flowing unfiltered into center tube 32. Open end plate 33 andclosed end plate 34 may each be joined to the center tube 32 viawelding, adhesives, etc. Alternatively, several or all of center tube32, open end plate 33, and closed end plate 34 may be constructed asunitary components.

Fluid to be filtered enters from the inlet channel 11 and flows to theannular cavity 28 between canister 20 and filter media 31. The fluidthen passes into and through filter media 31, then into center tube 32through the perforations shown therein in FIG. 1. The fluid exits centertube 32 through open end plate 33 and opening 35 into the outlet channel12. The open end plate 33 and closed end plate 34 help define the fluidchannels into and out of filter media 31, preventing any fluid fromflowing directly to outlet channel 12 and bypassing filter media 31.First and second annular seals 38 and 39 may advantageously be includedon filter element 30 and also help define and seal fluid passagewaysinto and out of filter element 30. First annular seal 38 may be includedon the open end plate 33 around opening 35 and adjacent the axial openend of filter element 30 to help seal the inlet channel 11 from theoutlet channel 12. Second annular seal 39, larger in diameter than firstannular seal 38, may be formed circumferentially around the open endplate 33 to provide the seal between canister 20 and base 10, or inother words provides a seal to prevent fluid in inlet channel 11 fromleaking out of the joint between canister 20 and base 10. First andsecond annular seals 38, 39 may be integrally formed with open end plate33, or attached with adhesives or other methods, as is known in thisart. When first and second annular seals 38, 39 are integrally formed onor included on open end plate 33, proper replacement of these seals isassured when the filter element is replaced at proper intervals.Otherwise, a technician may fail to properly replace the seals atappropriate intervals, which could result in leakage out of the system,or leakage within the system allowing unfiltered fluid to bypass thefilter element 31 and lead to contamination.

With reference now to FIGS. 2 and 3, a drain 40 penetrates the closedend 22 of canister 20. The drain 40 provides a drain channel 41 forremoving fluid from inside of canister 20. The drain 40 is elongated andincludes an inlet end 42 and an outlet end 43 connected to one anotherby the drain channel 41. Inlet end 42 is positioned inside of canister20. Outlet end 43 is positioned outside of canister 20. The drain 40 maybe moved between a closed position and an open position. In the closedposition of FIG. 2, fluid is not able to flow through drain channel 41.In the open position of FIG. 3, fluid is able to flow from the inlet end42, through drain channel 41, and out from outlet end 43. Drain 40 canbe adapted to suit many different applications. The illustratedembodiment provides only one exemplary configuration for drain 40.

Canister 20 includes a drain boss 24 on closed end 22. Drain boss 24protrudes out and away from closed end 22, and may include surfacesthereon that would allow a tool, such as an adjustable, open-endedwrench, to engage the drain boss 24 and turn the canister 20. Drain boss24 forms a bore 25. Drain 40 is positioned in, and is able to slideaxially and rotate in bore 25. An O-ring groove 44 is formed around theexterior of drain 40 and an O-ring is positioned therein. Alternatively,the O-ring groove may be formed on the bore 25. The O-ring preventsfluid leakage out of canister 20 through bore 25 from between drain 40and drain boss 24.

Drain 40 may cooperate with filter element 30 to form a releasableengagement with filter element 30, and a releasable seal with filterelement 30, when drain 40 is in its closed position. In the illustratedembodiment, drain 40 forms a releasable engagement with filter element30 through engagement structure that includes a releasable threadedconnection. Closed end plate 34 may form a pocket 36 in which areprovided threads 37. Threads 37 are formed on an inside surface of thepocket 36. Mutual threads 45 may be formed near inlet end 42 of drain40. Drain 40 may be engaged with filter element 30 by threading togetherthreads 37 and 45. Threads are one example of engagement structureswhich may be included on the filter element 30 and drain 40 to form areleasable engagement. Other known engagement structures may be used forparticular advantage in certain applications as will be recognized bythose of ordinary skill in this art.

When in its closed position, with drain 40 releasably engaged withfilter element 30, a releasable seal is made with filter element 30 sothat practically no fluid can enter inlet end 42 of drain 40. Thereleasable seal is made with seal structure which, in the illustratedembodiment, includes an inlet opening 46 extending between drain channel41 and the radial exterior of inlet end 42, and pocket 36 which receivesthe inlet opening 41 when the drain 40 is sealed. Putting drain 40 inits closed position moves inlet opening 46 inside of pocket 36, blockingthe inlet opening 46 so that practically no fluid can enter therein.Additionally, an O-ring groove 47 may be formed on drain 40 and anO-ring positioned therein. This O-ring may provide additional protectionagainst fluid leaking from between drain 40 and pocket 36 and enteringinlet opening 46. Instead of positioning the O-ring inside of pocket 36,the O-ring could also be positioned between drain 40 and another portionof closed end plate 34, and the O-ring could be positioned in a grooveformed on closed end plate 33 instead of on drain 40. When moving drain40 to its closed position, as it advances into pocket 36, fluid trappedtherein may need an escape path. This path may be provided by allowingdrain channel 41 to be open through axial inlet end 42 of drain 40.

Pocket 36 includes an open end 36 a, a smooth section 36 b, a threadedsection 36 c, and a closed end 36 d. Closed end 36 d ensures that nofluid may flow from center tube 32 into pocket 36 and inlet opening 46,and vice versa. Threads 37 are formed in the threaded section 36 c.Smooth section 36 b may act as a part of the sealing structure byfitting tightly against the surfaces of drain 40 to prevent fluid fromentering between and flowing from open end 36 a to inlet opening 46.Smooth section 36 b may also provide a surface against which the O-ringin O-ring groove 47 may seal for additional protection against fluidpassage. To help maintain the smoothness of the surface of smoothsection 36 b, the diameter of this section may be larger than the majordiameter of the threads 37, forming a lip 36 e between the smoothsection 36 b and threaded section 36 c. The larger diameter of smoothsection 36 b will help avoid the threads 45 on drain 40 from degradingthe smooth surface used for sealing purposes.

When in an opened position, drain 40 is at least partially disengagedfrom filter element 30, and inlet opening 46 is open so that fluid mayflow into drain channel 41. In the illustrated embodiment with athreaded engagement, putting the drain 40 in an opened position requiresturning drain 40 to disengage threads 37 and 45. As threads 37 and 45disengage, inlet end 42 of drain 40 advances out of pocket 36,unblocking inlet opening 46. Together, these features ensure that nofluid may enter inlet end 42 of drain 40 except when inlet opening 46has backed out of pocket 36, clearing the smooth section 36 b and theopen end 36 a. Fluid is then free to flow from inside canister 20,through inlet opening 46, through drain channel 41, and exit throughoutlet end 43 of drain 40.

Threads 37 and pocket 36 on filter element 30 need not necessarily beformed in closed end plate 34. The threads 37 and pocket 36 could alsobe formed as part of center tube 32, or some other part of filterelement 30, as will be understood by those of ordinary skill in thisart.

Other features and constructions may be used to provide cooperationbetween drain 40 and filter element 30 so that fluid cannot flow throughdrain 40 when drain 40 is in the closed position, and fluid may flowthrough drain 40 when drain 40 is in the opened position. For example,filter element 30 and drain 40 could be constructed so that drain 40makes a releasable seal with filter element 30 to close drain 40, butthe two may not be releasably engaged. Instead, as an example, thefilter element 30 and drain could be independently engaged with thecanister 20, and moving drain 40 to a closed position would involvedrain 40 moving upward to form a releasable seal with filter element 30,but not releasably engage it.

The releasable engagement and the releasable seal between the drain 40and the filter element 30 has several advantages. First, the engagementand/or seal ensure that a filter element 30 is placed inside canister 20before the system can be used. A technician will not accidentally orintentionally assemble the system without a filter element 30 becausewithout it, the drain 40 cannot be closed. Ensuring the presence offilter element 30 helps ensure that the fluid will be properly filtered.

With no threaded connections in the pathway of clean fluid from thecenter tube 32 to the outlet channel 12, the possibility ofcontamination is reduced. Threaded connections in the clean, filteredfluid pathway have been identified as a potential source ofcontamination. When threads are cut or formed in other ways on a metalcomponent, or even a plastic component, a small amount of debris isoften left on the threads. When the threaded connection is made, thedebris may be removed through the threading action, and is then free toenter the clean fluid pathway and result in contamination of downstreamcomponents. Thus, the avoidance of threads in the clean fluid pathwayeliminates this potential source of contamination.

The provision of threads on the filter element 30 provides a convenientmeans for repairing the threaded connection should the threads becrossed or damaged in some manner. If a threaded connection is betweenthe canister 20 and drain 40 (as in prior art systems), either thecanister 20 or the drain 40, or both, must be replaced if the threadsare crossed or damaged in some other way. If threads 37 formed on filterelement 30 are formed in plastic, while threads 45 on the drain 40 areformed in a harder material (possibly aluminum or another metal), whenthreads 37 and 45 are crossed, more than likely only threads 37 will bedamaged. Threads 37 are easily replaceable by replacing the filterelement 30. Finally, the engagement between the drain 40 and filterelement 30 provides a means for securely holding the filter elementinside the canister 20.

Holding the filter element 30 inside of canister 20 may have someadvantages during installation and replacement of the filter element 30.For example, the canister 20 can be turned upside down by a technicianto drain residual fluid therefrom, without the filter element 30 fallingout. Also, the filter element 30 can be held in the correct positioninside of canister 20 so that when the canister 20 is attached to thebase 10, the filter element 30 will properly align with features on thebase 10.

Other advantages may also be realized in some applications. In someapplications, the manufacturing of canister 20 may be simplified becauseno structure for engaging the drain (e.g. threads) is needed on thecanister.

Drain knob 50 facilitates turning drain 40 for moving between its closedand open positions. Drain knob 50 may be optionally positioned aboutdrain 40 on the exterior of canister 20. Drain knob 50 includes splines51 that mate with splines 48 formed on the exterior of drain 40. Thesplines 51, 48 allow drain knob 50 to move axially relative to drain 40(along an axis parallel to the rotational axis of drain 40), but tie thetwo together rotationally. Turning drain knob 50 will cause acorresponding rotation of drain 40.

In addition, drain knob 50 includes camming surfaces 52 that engage withmutual camming surfaces 26 on drain boss 24. A spring 53 acts betweenthe drain 40 and the drain knob 50, biasing the camming surfaces 52towards engagement with the camming surfaces 26. When camming surfaces52 and 26 engage one another, they permit the drain knob 50 to rotaterelative the canister 20 in only a single direction. Camming surfaces 52and 26 may be formed to permit rotation of drain knob 50 and drain 40 inthe direction of its closed position (clockwise in the illustratedembodiment), but prohibit drain 40 to rotate in the opposite directiontowards its open position unless camming surfaces 52 and 26 aredisengaged. They may be disengaged by pulling drain knob 50 against thebias of spring 53, and separating the two camming surfaces 52, 26. Thecamming surfaces 52, 26 permit relative rotation in one direction byproviding cams whereby the cams may slide by one another in onedirection. The camming surfaces 52, 26 prohibit relative rotation in theother direction by providing positive stopping surfaces which interfereor clash.

A spring 27 may optionally act between drain 40 and canister 20. Spring27 biases the drain 40 into the canister 20. This may provide advantagesin inserting and removing the filter element 30. For instance, incooperation with the drain knob 50, biasing the drain 40 upwards causesthe camming surfaces 52, 26 to engage and temporarily block rotation ofthe drain 40 in one direction. With spring 27 positioned as shown in thefigures, and with camming surfaces 52 and 26, a technician can install areplacement filter element 30 in a simple manner by holding the canister20 with one hand, and turning the filter element 30 with the other handto engage the filter element 30 with the drain 40.

The canister filter system 1 may be assembled by first positioning thefilter element 30 inside the canister 20. The canister 20 includes anopen end 21 through which the filter element 30 may pass, and a closedend 22. Next the drain 40 is caused to engage the filter element 30. Thedrain 40 passes through the bore 25 in the canister 20, with the inletend 42 projecting into the canister to engage with the filter element30. Preferably, the filter element 30 and drain 40 are first fullyengaged, which simultaneously moves the drain to a closed position,before the canister 20 is finally engaged with the base 10 to completethe assembly.

With first and second annular seals 38 and 39 (see FIG. 1) integrallyformed with or attached to filter element 30, many of the surfaces andseals which provide a sealing function in the system 1 will be replacedwhen the filter element 30 is replaced. This helps ensure the system 1will function properly throughout its life.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The canister filter system 1 may be used to filter contaminants fromfluid systems including fuel systems, lubrication oil systems, hydraulicfluid power systems, hydraulic fluid control systems, transmission fluidsystems, engine air intake systems, and the like, while permitting fluidto be conveniently drained using drain 40. Because of the arrangement ofdrain 40 with filter element 30, a technician is prevented fromaccidentally or intentionally operating system 1 unless a filter element30 is in place. This operability limitation helps protect componentswhich are sensitive to contamination.

1-11. (canceled)
 12. A method of assembling a canister filter systemhaving a base, a canister, a filter element, and a drain passing througha bore in the canister, the method comprising: positioning the filterelement inside the canister; closing the drain so that fluid cannot passout of the canister through the drain by forming a releasable seal withthe filter element; and engaging the canister to the base to define aflow path from the base, through the filter element, and back throughthe base.
 13. A method according to claim 12 further comprising forminga releasable engagement between the drain and the filter element.
 14. Amethod according to claim 13 wherein forming a releasable engagementbetween the drain and the filter element comprises causing threadsformed on the drain to engage with threads formed on the filter element.15. A method according to claim 14 wherein forming a releasable sealwith the filter element comprises turning the drain relative to thefilter element so that the threads on the filter element further engagethe threads on the drain until an inlet opening formed on the drain isblocked by the filter element.
 16. A method according to claim 15wherein: positioning the filter element inside the canister comprisesinserting the filter element through an open end of the canister; andengaging the canister to the base comprises engaging threads formedadjacent the open end of the canister with threads formed on the base.17-21. (canceled)